On Thursday March 22, 2018, Donald Richard Asher, age 91, of Gaylord met his Savior and joined a host of family and friends in his heavenly home. Donald was born on February 7, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Gordon and Viola Asher. Donald was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Don grew up in Detroit, attending the school of hard knocks & leaving home in his teens to serve in the United States Navy where he earned his high school diploma. Shortly after his Navy discharge Don met and married his best friend and love of his life Betty (Harmon). They settled in Detroit where Don worked as an electrician for JL Hudson and welcomed four daughters before moving to the “thumb” of Michigan in an effort to get his growing family out of the city. Don thrived in business ventures in Deckerville, Michigan and added a son and daughter to his family. As a young man Don was active in community life and as a member of St. John Lutheran Church, the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. Don and Betty loved exploring new places and vacationing in Treasure Island, Florida; spending part of every winter there for over forty years.
Retiring to Gaylord in 1980, Don enjoyed family, music, a good party, jokes, lake-life, working out at the gym, his friends and community involvement. Don was a life-long story teller. He was fiercely proud of his service in World War II and never tired of sharing stories of his time in the service or stopping to chat with total strangers about his commemorative carved military cane. When you met Don, you heard about the “love of his life” and his children and grandchildren. If you can’t share a story about Don, or repeat a story from him, then you probably didn’t know him.
Don died quietly in Treasure Island, Florida; unlike the way he lived. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty, his #1 daughter Lynn Laughlin and his sister Marian and brother Douglas. He was loved and will be missed and fondly remembered by his son-in law Cal Laughlin, Lexington, daughters Gail (George) Innis, Port Sanilac, Patti (Burton) Cowan, Port Sanilac, Donna (Mark) Randall, Gaylord, Jane (Thomas) Reaney, Santee, California and son Thomas of Port Sanilac as well as 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, special Godchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Don’s family will receive friends and share memories on Friday, April 27th from 4-8 pm at the Nelson Funeral home in Gaylord (where there will be a Masonic ritual at 7 pm) and from 11 am – noon on April 28th at Peace Lutheran Church, Gaylord. A celebration service honoring Don’s life will be held at 12 noon on April 28th at the church. Memorials for Don may be made in lieu of flowers to Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Spina Bifida of Michigan or the Family Discretionary Fund to be distributed to Don’s favorite charities.
Spina Bifida of Michigan Shriners Hospitals for Children
1600 Wilson Blvd #800 2211 Oak Park Avenue
Arlington, Virginia 22209 Chicago, Illinois 60707
17 comments on “Asher, Donald”
To the Asher family, we are sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful life loving person. We have not been in contact for some years now and to hear of his passing brings sadness to our hearts. May God bring you comfort, peace and strength to contiue your lives without him.
To the Asher family.
So sorry to see of Don’s passing. You’s are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rob and Marlene Peterson
Hard to be sad when you know he is now with the love of his life. My heart breaks for the family he leaves behind. He will sorely be missed until you meet again. Love to you all.
So very sorry for your loss. Sending our hugs and prayers for your family.
Oh how tough it is loosing a best friend. The friends we shared collectively, the families we watched mature and the memories we made together will assure another life time of narrative. Did I ever tell you the time . . .
We met Don a few years back when we moved to Gaylord and we became neighbors. He was described as the honorary mayor of Gaylord as he knew everyone and everything. He was quick with a smile and a helping hand. My thoughts and prayers go to the family. Don was nothing short of wonderful and I know will be missed.
I am sorry for the loss of your Dad. My first memories of Don are him delivering milk to the door and giving my mother the daily weather report. Of course, I remember the Asher Family as neighbors in the old neighborhood. Those were the days!
Dear Donna and The Asher Family, I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.
What a guy! We only knew Don for a few years in Gaylord, but I was so impressed by his strength and independence. He reminded me of my father, who was also born in 1927. Don was a true gentleman from a great era.
My prayers for all of the Asher family is to find peace in each other and cherished memories, send hugs to all!
So sorry for the loss of your dad, he was a great man and a caring husband and father.
Great friend and great neighbor and we will miss him emensely. Such good times and years with Don, Betty and family, the neighborhood will never be the same!! We are very saddened.
We are very saddened to lose our other half of our good friends, Betty, and now Don. We had such good times and memories with the families. Our neigborhood will never be the same. I’m already lonesome and we are not home yet. Buck Road will bring tears!
I can’t remember not knowing your family and loving Don and Betty. I took great comfort knowing he was still in the world. Don’s passing leaves me saddened.
We are so sorry Don had to go, its going to be so lonesome without him. We all enjoyed his many stories and just funny WIT. We can’t check to see if his lights are on and everything is okay with him, Buck Road is going to be SAD! We miss you, our FRIEND! One BEER!!!
We were very sorry for your loss. We were fortunate to have Don and Betty as our summer neighbors for almost 25 years. They both had the opportunity to see our kids grow up and Don always had a special spot for our daughter Ashley, as they both share February 7th as their birthdays. Over the years we always looked forward to what Don’s summer project was going to be!! He will be greatly missed.
So sorry for your loss. Sending my love and hugs.